Visible signal for alarm, such as a smoke detector

Abstract

The cover of a ceiling mounted smoke detector is hung at one side by a chain from the detector frame. At the other side the cover has a clip which engages the smoke detector battery. Thus if the battery is not in place the cover hangs down from the chain providing a signal indicative of the absence of the battery. A flag is provided which is pivotally mounted inside the cover and movable on the pivot through an opening in the bottom of the cover. A magnet attached to the flag magnetically engages the diaphragm of the horn alarm in the smoke detector and maintains the flag at a raised position within the cover. When the horn alarm is sounded, the vibration of the diaphragm causes disengagement of the magnet whereupon the flag pivots downwardly to a position at which it extends below the cover. This provides a visual indication that the horn alarm has been sounded.

I claim: 
     
       1. A visible signal apparatus for an alarm device such as a smoke detector or the like, which alarm device is powered by a battery member and includes a horn with a diaphragm member which is vibrated to produce an audible alarm signal and a frame, said apparatus being characterized by: a signal flag hingedly connected to said frame, said flag having a distal terminus spaced from the hinge connection to the frame, said flag being movable by gravity about said hinge connection between an upper position in juxtaposition to said member and a lower position away from said member; and   means secured to the flag, spaced from the hinge connection and releasably engaging one of said members and holding said flag in said upper position whereby when said engagement does not exist said flag will move to said lower position.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said battery member is removably mounted on said frame and is exposed below said frame and wherein said device includes a cover having a normal mounted position in juxtaposition to the frame and connected to the frame in a manner such that it may be moved away from the frame sufficiently to permit the battery member to be removed and replaced, said apparatus being further characterized by: said cover forming said signal flag and said upper position being the normal mounted position of the cover; and   said means including a clip secured to the cover and engaging about said battery member to support said cover in conjunction with said hinge connection;   whereby when said battery is not in place in said frame to be engaged by said clip said cover cannot be supported in the upper position.   
     
     
       3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said diaphragm member is formed of a ferromagnetic material, said apparatus being further characterized by: said means including a magnet magnetically engaging said diaphragm member whereby when said horn is sounded the vibration of the diaphragm occurring in the course of producing said alarm signal causes said magnet to become disengaged allowing said flag to move to said lower position.   
     
     
       4. A visible signal apparatus for an alarm device such as a smoke detector or the like which includes a frame, a cover, means releasably supporting the cover from the frame, and a removable battery mounted in an exposed position on the frame and supplying electrical power for the signal apparatus, said apparatus being characterized by said means comprising: means secured to the cover and releasably engaging said battery and providing sufficient of the support of the cover that the cover will not remain in place in the absence of that releasable engagement, whereby if said battery is absent said cover will not remain so supported thereby providing a visible indication of the absence of the battery.   
     
     
       5. A visible signal apparatus for an alarm device which includes a horn with a diaphragm member which is vibrated to produce an audible alarm signal, said apparatus being characterized by: a signal flag hingedly connected to said frame, said flag having a distal terminus spaced from the hinge connection to the frame, said flag being movable by gravity about said hinge connection between an upper position in juxtaposition to said member and a lower position away from said member; and   means secured to the flag, spaced from the hinge connection and releasably engaging one of said members and holding said flag in said upper position whereby when said engagement does not exist said flag will move to said lower position, said means including a magnet magnetically engaging said diaphragm member whereby when said horn is sounded the vibration of the diaphragm occurring in the course of producing said alarm signal causes said magnet to become disengaged allowing said flag to move to said lower position.